CHILDREN’S lives "are at risk", according to parents concerned that a lack of parking spaces is making the road leading to an Addlestone school dangerous.

St Paul’s CofE Primary School in School Lane shares its parking spaces with Addlestone Leisure Centre and Jubilee High School but these spaces are strictly for staff use.

Parents were previously permitted by the leisure centre to use some of its spaces but this arrangement has now ended.

Joanne Wade, a parent at the school who lives in Garfield Road, said: “Because there’s nowhere to park, people are parking up the kerbs in School Lane, making it difficult to see out when you’re crossing. Children’s lives are at risk.

“Someone might have been abusive to the leisure centre but, because of that, all of us have to suffer.”

Sam Gadd, who also lives in Garfield Road, added: “I can’t let my daughter walk into school with me anymore, she has to be strapped into the buggy because it’s too dangerous.”

She said: “We had numerous problems. Customers were complaining that there were not enough spaces for them but, more importantly, we were concerned about safety.

“Some cars would stay for a long time and be parked right up against our fire exits so we had to organise someone to patrol the car park.

“On top of this, one of our members of staff was verbally abused by a parent when they were asked to move their car. It became too much.”

Mrs Aitken added: “We’d like to help work towards a safer environment.”

St Paul’s headteacher Beverley White held a parent partnership meeting, which led to parents and staff setting up a 'safer routes to school' group. Ideas include working with businesses in the area to open parking spaces, and a walking bus.

She said: “There are examples of very good and considerate driving and parking but, sadly, also examples of the exact opposite.”